Small chickens?

[robinwhiskers]

My chooks are almost 9 months old and they seem to be fully grown. I weighed some of them today (I didn't weigh one EE and one Barred Rock because they're friendly but really don't like being held) and the Buff Orpington cockerel was a good 8.2 pounds, but I'm surprised that the EE pullet was only 4.2 pounds, the Orp pullets were 5 pounds and 6.4 pounds, and the Barred Rock pullet was 6.4 pounds. The 5 pound Orp is especially small and I'm not complaining as she's a companion animal and I don't mind her being small, but what could be the reason for chickens small for their breeds? They are all from My Pet Chicken.

 

[LilJoe]

Seems normal weight to me. Especially hatchery birds. EE are usually small, too.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Production/hatchery bred lines are generally much smaller than the exhibition lines of the same breeds.....this is because they are not bred to the standard of perfection, rather they are mass produced with quantity being valued over quality. The weights of your birds are pretty average

 

[micstrachan]

This is a great question I am curious about, as well. I had a small New Hampshire Red who fell terribly ill to a laying disorder at the tender young age of 12 months. I don’t know whether her small size was a factor. Now I have a small Silver Laced Wyandotte who so far is healthy, but also has a single comb. I’ll be watching for the answers to your question, but I’m afraid I have no knowledge on the matter myself.

Edited to add: Mine have all been hatchery birds.

 

[Kiki]

Worms could cause chickens to be/feel smaller/skinnier.